Door check with fluid bumper



N0v 6, 1956 P. M. HANssEN 2,769,195

DOOR CHECK WITH FLUID BUMPER Filed March 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l :se e

x; INVENTOR Eifer/1 /ansszn/ 47m/wiki Nov. 6, 1956 P. M. HANssEN Doos CHECK WITH FLUID BUMPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1953 INVENToR Jeier 1% Hanssen United States Patent O DOOR CHECK WITH FLUID BUMPER Petter M. Hanssen, Frewsburg, N. Y., assignor to Ellison Bronze Company, Inc., Falconer, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 25, 1953, Serial No. 344,640

14 Claims. (Cl. 16-82) The invention relates to a check for a door having general application to any swinging door. The door check is shown particularly in connection with a balanced type of door in combination with which it has certain new functions and advantages. A balanced door is that type of swinging door which is mounted upon swinging arms connected at a point between the vertical edges of the door and a guide means controls another point between the edges of the door whereby a compound door opening movement of both swinging and translation is secured. A balanced type of door is shown in the Ellison Patents Nos. 2,019,526 and 2,019,527.

It is an object of the invention to construct a door check having a fluid bumper at the end of the door opening movement of the piston means of the door check.

Another object of the invention is to construct a door cheek having a fluid bumper at one end of the movement of the piston of the check and utilizing a bypass means as both a by-pass and as a part of the door bumper means.

Another object of the invention is to construct a door check for a balanced type of door having a guide channel for the door in which the ends of the fluid control or needle Valve or valves for controlling the by-pass or bypasses are located for adjustment within the guide channel Other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the door check and the upper mounting means for a balanced type of door taken on line 1 1 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the door check with the transom not shown taken on line 2 2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the door check and the upper mounting means of a balanced type of door taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the cylinder means of a modied form of door check; and

Figure 5 is a partial or fragmentary view of the cylinder of Figure 4 to show the by-pass means and check connection.

The check for a door as particularly shown in the drawings is a single, double ended cylinder type of check v although the check to be described is applicable to a construction of door check having more than one or a divided cylinder means. Whether or not the door check is of the single cylinder type, the operation and function is essentially'similar to the single cylinder type which will be particularly described. The door check is one in which the pinion is connected with a door pivot for securing relative movement between the pinion and a rack meshing therewith; however, the door check may Patented Nov. 6, 1956 ICC be connected with the door in any suitable fashion for securing relative movement between these two elements of the check. So far as the check herein is concerned, it is immaterial whether the pinion is held stationary and by movement of the door the rack moves relatively to the pinion or the pinion rotates by the movement of the door to bring about relative movement between the rack and the pinion.

The door check is shown mounted to 'control the movement of a balanced type door 9. Such a door includes a door pivot or hinge 10 mounted adjacent to the edge of the door opening or within a vertical pillar 11 of the door frame. The door pivot may take any form, that shown being tubular, and at the upper end thereof it carries an arm 12, the outer end of which arm is pivotally attached to the door by a suitable arm pivot means 13 and located at a point between the vertical edges of the door. The door pivot 10 carries a splined rod 14 which engages a splined hole of the hub of arm 12 and is movable vertically therein for connecting the arm or door pivot with the door check as will be discussed hereinafter.

The door check has a frame 17 which is secured to or in the transom bar of the door frame. The transomv bar constitutes a horizontal extension of the upper end of the door frame pillar 11 (Fig. 1) and has a longitudinal slotted bottom wherein the bottom of the frame 17 is mounted. The frame includes a channel 18 in which is received a guide roller 19. The guide roller is secured to the top of the door at a point between the vertical edges thereof and spaced from the arm pivot means therefor. A spring (not shown) attached to the door hinge or pivot 10 provides the motive power for return rotation of the door pivot 10 and arm 12 to close the door.

A balanced type of door is opened by pulling or pushing the edge of the door spaced from the door hinge or pivot which swings the arm on the pivot or door hinge so that the pulled edge of the door moves outwardly and the inner or hinge edge of the door moves inwardly of the door frame, the guide roller moving to the left in the channel as viewed in Figure 1. The door therefore has a movement of combined pivoting and translation to the left with the mid-portion of the door adjacent to the door pivot or hinge in full open position.

The door check is carried by the frame 17 which includes the guide channel 18. The frame carries a pinion 22 which is rotatably mounted therein and is suitably connected with the door, the construction shown being a splined hole in the pinion which receives the splined end of the rod 14. The rod is slidable vertically in the door pivot so that by lowering the same into the door pivot, the door with its mounting may be yinserted in the door frame. The splined rod is then slid vertically into engagement with the hole in the pinion and retained in raised position by means such as a bolt 23. The construction provides an easily mounted door. 24 is mounted in the frame for lateral 'movement with respect to the pinion and meshes with the pinion so that as the door is opened, the pinion rotates and' moves the rack means to the left as viewed in Figure 2. The rack preferably has sliding movement in the frame and is shown as of rectangular cross section. The rack and pinion means is illustrative of operating means for moving the piston upon opening and closing of the door.

The door check includes cylinder means 27 which is carried by the frame 17. For manufacturing convenience it is a separate part secured to the channel portion of the frame. The cylinder means illustrated is a single, double ended cylinder closed at one end such as by a screw plug 28 and the other end is closed by a plug 29 having a hole through which a piston rod 30 passes Awith A rack suitable packing for the latter. Piston means 31 is slidable in the cylinder and is 4connected with the rack means 24 by any desired connecting means such as the piston rod 30, one end of which is secured to the piston and the other end is secured to the rack means.

The chambers so provided' in the cylinder means on each side of the piston are connected by a check connection or passageway 34, the connection particularly shown being a hole through the piston of a size to give either substantially unrestricted or small amount of restricted uid ow therethrough. A check valve 35 provided in the connection restricting the same to unidirectional fluid llow therethrough in a direction from the left to the right hand end of the cylinder means. The check connection includes a circumferential groove 36 in the piston means connected with the hole 34 therethrough. T he check connection also includes at least one groove 37 extending lengthwise in the cylinder wall, two ol' which are shown. The groove or grooves extend towards the left end of the cylinder and the left hand end of the groove or grooves is located so that it is blocked or covered by the piston means when it is in full door open position. The connection or communication between the chamber at the end of the cylinder and the groove is therefore closed by the piston means shortly before the piston means reaches the end of its movement or shortly before the door reaches fully open position.

The piston means has the circumferential groove 36 therein which in effect rdivides the same into a piston and a valve or valve portion 3?. The valve may be a separate element secured either to the piston or the piston rod so that it is movable therewith. This valve or valve portion of the piston closes the check connection when it passes over or blocks the left hand end of the groove or grooves 37. Fluid flow through the groove and check connection is stopped when this occurs in the door opening movement of the piston means. The door is substantially in fully open position lacking say an inch or two of additional opening movement. in this position the door is open for passage of persons through the door. However the door can be opened a further one, two or more inches Idepending upon where the end of the groove is located in the cylinder wall and it is this full limit to the door opening movement which is termed full door open position.

By-pass means is provided between the end portions of the cylinder chamber or cylinder means shown as a by-pass passage 41 having a port 42 at the door open end and a port 43 at the door closed end of the cylinder or cylinder means. The port 42 is located beyond the position of the piston means when in full door open position so that it is always open. It is, therefore, spaced from the end of the check connection or the cylinder grooves 37 thereof. The port 43 at the other end of the cylinder may be connected to the cylinder beyond the position of the piston in its door closed position so that it is always open or may be located so that it is covered by the piston at the end of the closing movement of the piston and door although preferably it is located in the position shown. The by-pass has restricted or slow flow therethrough and preferably it has a control valve 44 therein in the form of a needle valve so that the speed of uid flow therethrough may be adjusted as desired.

A second by-pass passage 47 may be provided having a port 48 into the cylinder for which a convenient location is into a groove 37 so that this port and by-pass are closed when the piston means or the valve portion thereof passes beyond the port or the end of the groove. A port 49 into the other end of the cylinder means is preferably located at a position so that it is covered by the piston means just before the door reaches full closed position. Port 49 isA likewise provided with a needle valve 44 similarly threaded into a cup forming part of a packing.

Preferably mechanical means of any suitable kind is used to hold the door in open position which is at the limit of the door opening movement, that is, at full door open position. The means particularly shown includes a pair of pivoted cams or pawls 52 carried on each side of the end of the channel 18. Cam holding means may be releasably retained in door holding position, the means shown being a so-called bullet type having a plunger or ball 53 which is slidable in a tube 54 having a spring 55 therein for projecting the ball into contact with each cam. A depression is provided in the upper face of each cam to receive the ball and releasably hold the cams in door holding position. The tail of each cam projects into the channel and is engaged by the guide means or roller 19 on the door to close the cams upon the guide means and thereby hold the door in fully open position.

ln operation when the door is opened, the pinion 22 is turned with the swinging of the arm 12 which :moves the rack means 24 to the left and moves the piston means 31 to the left in the cylinder means 27 as viewed in Figures l and 2. In this door opening movement, the fluid in the left hand end of the cylinder means llows freely through the grooves 37 in the cylinder wall to the circular groove 36 formed in the piston means or formed between the piston and the valve portion thereof, then through the hole 34 in the piston means and the check valve 35 into the right hand end of the cylinder means. This provides free or substantially free flow of the uid from one end of the cylinder means to the other end. It will be observed too, that the check connection includes the passageway or hole 34 through the piston with its check valve 35, the circular groove 36 in the piston means or between the piston means and the valve portion 38, as well as the grooves 37 in the cylinder wall. v

`When the door is nearly fully open, the piston means passes and closes the ends of the grooves or channels so that the check connection is closed. The uid in the elt hand end of the cylinder is in a sense trapped therein excepting for the restricted ow through the by-pass passage or means 41 which halts any rapid door opening .movement A fluid bumper is provided therefore, preventing free opening movement of the door to its full open position. By continued pressing of the door towards full open position, the uid trapped in the left hand end of the cylinder ows slowly through the bypass means and when the `door reaches full open position, the guide roller 19 enters the open cams 52 and presses against the tails or rear ends thereof to close the same on the guide roller. The balls 53 project into their respective depressions in the cams and hold the cams in closed position which holds the guide roller therein and releasably holds the door in open position. Pulling on the door releases the door holding means. In the normal operation of the door, the door will b e opened to the fluid bumper and then released whereby the door is propelled to closed position by a spring, not shown, acting on the door pivot or hinge 10 to swing the arm 12 and the door to closed position.

In the closing movement of the door after release from the holding means, from full door open position, the fluid ows or is forced from the right hand end of the cylinder means to the left hand end through the restricted by-pass means 41 so that the door moves slowly. The piston means V31 moving to the right, passes and opens the port 48 and the ends of the grooves 37 in the cylinder wall and the fast by-pass 47 is opened Vso that the door closes more rapidly until'the piston covers and closes the port 49 thereof. The slow by-pass 41 for the balance of the `closing movement is the only open fluid passage Vbetween the right hand end of the cylinder means and the left hand end so that the door closes slowly to fully closed position.

The fast moving by-pass is a desirable part of the door check but it is not essential. It will also be observed that, in the door check described, the slow by-pass 41 now has a double function: First, to provide a door closing by-pass passage or means and secondly, to provide a fluid bumper at the end of the door opening movement for the piston means and hence for the door.

A modified form of check means is shown in Figure 4 which illustrates that the check connection or passage need not pass through the piston means to a circumferential groove therein and a groove in the cylinder wall. In this form of check, the cylinder means 58 and associated parts are substituted for the cylinder means of Figures 1-3. A check connection 59 connects the ends of the cylinder means and passes through the cylinder wall. A unidirectional check valve 60 is provided therein for free fluid flow in one direction of movement of the piston means 57 or to the left and closing of the connection or valve against iluid flow in a reverse direction of movement of the piston means. The connection has one port 61 located at the end of the cylinder means beyond the movement of the piston in its door closed position so that this port is always open. A port 62 at the other end of the check connection is located a short distance from the end of the cylinder means in a location where the piston means closes the port just short of full door open position thereof so that when the door is substantially open but just short of full open position, the port is covered thereby to close the check connection against further fluid flow therethrough. It will be observed that in the construction of Figure 4 the piston means also functions, as in that of Figure 1, as a valve for closing the check connection even though there is no circumferential groove in the piston means nor grooves in the cylinder Wall. The port 62 is located in the same position as and serves in the same manner as the end of the groove 37 in the construction of Figure l.

In the construction of Figure 4 by-pass means is provided between the ends of the cylinder for restricted iluid flow therethrough and particularly for restricted uid flow for door closing movement of the piston means. The restricted flow may be secured in any fashion although preferably it is Secured by a threaded valve turning of which controls the size of the opening therethrough to control the speed of fluid oW past the valve or through a by-pass.

The by-pass means of Figure 4 differs somewhat from the by-pass means of Figures 1 through 3 wherein one by-pass passage 41 connects the ends of the cylinder or cylinder means beyond the limits of the piston movement in both opening and closing movement. In the construction if Figure 4, a by-pass passage 65 has a port 66 at the right hand end or door closed position of the piston which is located to be covered by the piston shortly before the piston reaches the end of its travel in the door closing movement. By-pass 65 has its left hand port 6'7 beyond the end of the travel of the piston means when in full open position so that this port is always open. A second by-pass 68 is provided which has a port 69 just short of full door open position of the piston or at or about the position of the port 62 for the check connection. The other port 70 of the second bypass is at the end of the cylinder means beyond the movement of the piston means in door closed position s0 that it is always open. With this arrangement of two by-passes, the bumper or first by-pass may be a so-called fast flow by-pass and the second by-pass may be a slow ow by-pass. This terminology is applicable even though the ow is equal through both by-passes as will be discussed hereinafter. Fluid flow may be made faster through the first by-pass 65 by adjustment of the size of a by-pass control valve 71 which is similar in construction to valves 44. A similar control valve preferably is provided for the slow by-pass 68 at the port 69.

Where two by-passes are provided each may have fluid flow therethrough equal to the other. In such case fast by-pass is secured since two are open and in operation during the major part of the door closing piston movement and slower by-pass iluid flow is secured by cutting oi one by-pass passage with the piston means thereby halving fluid flow from one end of the cylinder to the other. It is clear further that one by-pass may have aV restricted flow therethrough which is relatively low and the other by-pass may pass fluid more rapidly and so in fact be a relatively fast by-pass. In such case the port for the fast by-pass 65 is cut oif just before door closing position of the piston means is reached so that the nal closing of the door is controlled by the slow by-pass 68. It will be observed therefore that there are several arrangements which may be made in connection with the by-passes depending upon the location of their respective two ports and the condition of fluid ilow therethrough such as by the size of the by-pass or one of its ports or as provided by an adjustable control valve 71 therein. With the rst by-pass 65 being, or adjusted to, a relatively fast flow therethrough, the bumper action to full door open position is faster and softer than the arrangement of Figure l and the degree of softness or speed is controllable without affecting the speed of slow closing movement of the piston means which is controlled by the slow by-pass 68 to fully closed position. The by-pass arrangement of Figure 4 may be substituted for that of Figure l and vice versa as desired. The control valve or valves 71 are acccessible for adjustment from within the channel 1S.

The invention is presented to iill a need for improvements in a door check with fluid bumper. It is understood that various modifications in structure, as Well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especially after beneting from the teachings of an invention. Hence it will be understood that this disclosure is illustrative of preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form by explaining the construction, operation and advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A check for a door having a frame, comprising fluid cylinder means carried by the frame and having closed ends, piston means slidable within the cylinder means in one direction for door opening movement and in the other direction for door closing movement, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder means, means operatively connected with the piston means and adapted to be connected with the door frame to move the piston means in the cylinder means as the door opens and closes; a check connection connecting the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional fluid flow therethrough, and valve means movable with the piston means and closing the check connection on a predetermined extent of movement of the piston means in one direction in the cylinder means; and by-pass means communicating with said chambers and at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in at least one direction and having restricted ow therethrough.

2. A check for a door as in claim 1 in which the by-pass means communicates with the chambers of the cylinder means beyond the travel of the piston means in both directions of its movement.

. 3. A check for a door having a frame, comprising a single uid cylinder carried by the frame and having closed ends, a single double acting piston slidable Within the cylinder, the piston forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder, means operatively connected with the piston and adapted to be connected with the door frame to move the piston in the cylinder as the door opens and closes; a check connection connecting the chambers including a check valve therein for unidirectional fluid iiow therethrough, and valve means movable with the piston and closing the check connection on a predetermined extent of movement of the piston in one direction in the cylinder; and by-pass means communicating with the chambers at a point beyond the travel of the piston in at least one direction and having restricted fluid ilow therethrough.

4. A check for a door as in claim 3 in which the bypass means communicates with the chambers beyond the travel of the piston therein in both directions.

5. A check for a door having a frame, comprising fluid cylinder means carried by the frame and having closed ends, piston means slidable Within the cylinder means, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder means, means operatively connected With the piston means and adapted to be connected With the door frame to move the piston means in the cylinder means as the door opens and closes; a check connection connecting the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional fluid ow therethrough, and an inlet port in the cylinder means spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be closed by the piston means to close the check connection; and by-pass means communicating with the chambers, the by-pass means being connected with a chamber at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in at least the door opening direction and having restricted iluid ow therethrough.

6. A check for a door as in claim 5 in which the bypass means communicates with the chambers beyond the travel of the piston means in both directions of its movement.

7. A check for a door having a frame, comprising a fluid cylinder carried by the frame and having closed ends, piston means slidable Within the cylinder, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder, means operatively connected with the piston means and adapted to be connected with the door frame to move the piston means in the cylinder means as the door opens and closes; a check connection connecting the chambers including a groove in the cylinder wall, a circumferential groove in the piston means, the piston means having a hole extending from one end thereof and communicating with the circumferential groove, a check valve means in the hole for unidirectional fluid flow therethrough, and one end of the groove in the cylinder being spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be closed by the piston means to close the check connection; and by-pass means communicating with the chambers at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in at least the door opening direction and having restricted liuid liow therethrough.

8. A check for a door as in claim 7 in which the bypass means is connected With portions of the chambers disposed beyond the travel of the piston means in its door closing movement.

9. A check for a door having a frame, comprising lluid cylinder means carried by the frame and having a Wall and closed ends, piston means slidable Within the cylinder means, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder means, means operatively connected with the piston means and adapted to be connected with the door frame to move the piston me-ans in the cylinder means as the door opens and closes; a check connection passing through the cylinder Wall and connecting the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional tluid ilow therethrough, and a port in the cylinder wall spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be closed by the piston means to close the check connection; and at least one by-pass sans communicating with the chambers, the by-pass means being connected With a chamber at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in at least the door opening movement thereof and having restricted fluid flow therethrough.

l0. A check for a door as in claim 9 in which the bypass means includes two by-passes one connected to one of the chambers at a point beyond the travel of the piston means at full door open position and also connected with the other chamber at a point to be covered by the piston means just before full door closed position and the other by-pass being connected to said lirst named chamber at a point spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be covered by the piston means and also connected with the other chamber beyond the movement of the piston means.

ll. A check for a door having a frame, comprising iluid cylinder means carried by the frame and having closed ends, piston means slidable Within the cylinder means, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder means, means operatively connected with the piston means and adapted to be connected with the door frame to move the piston means in the cylinder means as the door opens and closes; a check connection extending through the cylinder means and connecting the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional huid 'llow therethrough, and a port in the cylind means spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be closed thereby and close the check connection; and at least one by-pass means communicating with the chambers, the by-pass means being connected with a chamber at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in at least the door opening direction.

l2. A check for a door having a frame, comprising a pinion ,iournalled in the frame having means for connecting the same to a door, rack means mounted on the frame for movement laterally of the pinion and meshing With the pinion, liuid cylinder means carried by the frame adjacent to the rack and having closed ends, piston means slidable within the cylinder means, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder means, means operatively connecting the rack means and piston means; a check connection extending through the cylinder means and connecting the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional fluid tlow therethrough, and a port in the cylinder means spaced a short distance from the ful door open position of the piston means to be closed thereby and close the check connection; a first oy-pass connecting the chambers at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in the door opening direction and at a point short of the travel of the piston means in a door closing direction to be covered by the piston means, and a second by-pass communicating with the chambers, the by-pass means being connected with a chamber at a point short of the travel of the piston means in a door opening direction to be covered by the piston means and also connected at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in a door closing direction to be open at all times.

13. A check and channel organization for a balanced door having a transom, a door pivot, a door mounting arm on the pivot and pivotally connected with the door, and a guide means carried by the door, comprising a frame adapted to be mounted in the transom including a guide channel, a check for the door including a pinion journalled in the frame having means adapted to connect the same to the door pivot, rack means mounted on the frame for movement laterally of the pinion and meshing with the pinion, fluid cylinder means carried by the frame adjacent to the rack means and having closed ends, piston means slidable Within the cylinder means, the piston means forming a chamber' at each end of the cylinder means,

means operatively connecting the rack means and piston means; a cheek connection communicating with the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional tuid ilow therethrough, and a port in the cylinder means spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be closed by the piston means and close the check connection; and by-pass means communicating with the chambers, the by-pass means being connected With a chamber at a point beyond the travel of the piston means in at least the door opening direction including a lluid control valve therein for restricted uid low therethrough, and the fluid control valve being accessible within the guide channel for adjustment thereof.

14. A check and channel organization to be mounted in a door transom for a balanced door having a door pivot, a door mounting arm on the pivot and pivotally connected to the door comprising a frame adapted to be mounted in the transom including a guide channel; a check for the door including a frame secured to the guide channel, a pinion journalled in the frame having means for connecting the same to the door pivot, rack means mounted on the frame for sliding movement laterally of the pinion and meshing with the pinion, fluid cylinder means carried by the frame adjacent to the rack and having closed ends, piston means slidable Within the cylinder means, the piston means forming a chamber at each end of the cylinder means, means operatively connecting the rack means and piston means; a check connection communicating with the chambers including a check valve means therein for unidirectional fluid ow therethrough, and a port in the cylinder means spaced a short distance from the full door open position of the piston means to be closed by the piston means and close the check connection; a pair of by-pass means communicating with the chambers at different points therein, and a fluid control valve in each by-pass means for restricted uid ow therethrough; and the two uid control valves being accessible in the guide channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 366,711 Bardsley July 19, 1887 419,916 Blount Ian. 21, 1890 951,295 Voight Mar. 8, 1890 1,821,570 Norton Sept. 1, 1931 2,036,474 Hanson Apr. 7, 1936 2,059,385 Morrissette Nov. 3, 1936 2,116,185 Bernhard May 3, 1938 2,360,095 Aspinwall Oct. 10, 1944 2,522,252 Billeter Sept. 12', 1950 2,528,904 Norballe Nov. 7, 1950 

